UHV wins one, loses one in Sunday doubleheader

Coastal Bend Cougars player Aileen Lundquist attempts to tag out UHV Jaguars player Rachel Laird as she slides into third base. The Jaguars played a doubleheader against the Cougars on Sunday afternoon. The Jaguars lost the first game 3-2 in the 8th inning.
Tess Freeman
for The Victoria Advocate

Cuero vs. Gonzales

Click image to view gallery

With a shirt caked in dirt and a cookie in hand, Shelby Smith had a smile on her face after UHV's two softball games Sunday at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex.

Though the Jaguars lost the first game to Coastal Bend College 3-2, they came back stronger in the second game and won 9-1.

Smith said that the girls started out trying to play too serious.

"We play better when we're more silly and having fun," Smith, a UHV freshman, said. "We picked up the intensity in the second game, had more fire and didn't want to lose against them again."

In the first game, Smith played first base and scored the Jaguars' two points in each game of the doubleheader.

Smith played catcher in the second game, which was called because of the Jaguars' eight-point lead after five innings.

Smith is one of two freshmen who transferred to UHV during the semester break. Smith started the year at University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

"Well, I didn't sweat (while playing there) which was cool," the La Porte native said. "But I wanted to be closer to home."

Coach Lindsey Ortiz said that Smith "goes all out all the time."

"I love that kid," Ortiz said. "She's been an awesome surprise."

Junior Megan Huerta, outfielder, also joined the team over winter break. The Van Vleck graduate also plays on the UHV soccer team.

Huerta scored a point in the second game.

Many of the Jaguars stole risky bases in the two games, which led to Smith sliding into first base headfirst.

"We talk about an aggressive culture and taking bags when we can," Ortiz said. "Put pressure on the defense and make them work and make mistakes."

Though losing the first game, Ortiz is happy with the positives she observed in the exhibition games.

"We had a lot of kids step up, like Naomi Trevino, defensively and offensively," she said.

Trevino, a senior from Port Lavaca, started her college career at Coastal Bend. She scored the ninth point for UHV.

Still playing with the lineup, Ortiz played all five of UHV's pitchers Sunday. The entire 16-person team played at least an inning.

"Every girl played, which is very important to me," Ortiz said. "They all work so hard and have put a lot into this. They all deserve to get out here and play. I want them to keep that fire, go in, play strong and stay hungry."

Junior Rachel Laird scored one point in Game 1 and two in the second game.

Seniors Alex Holland and Marley Moehrig each scored a point in the second game. Sophomore Brienna Martinez scored a point in the second game.

The Jaguars will work on missed opportunities and other mistakes during the week before the official start to their season at LSU-Alexandria against St. Gregory's University on Friday.